Brodtkorbite is an extremely rare copper-mercury selenide mineral first identified in the Skrikerum mining district of Sweden. It typically occurs as minute, metallic grains associated with other selenide minerals in hydrothermal deposits. Due to its extreme rarity and complex chemical composition, it is a significant specialty mineral for advanced systematic collectors.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Dark gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Brodtkorbite

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Dark gray
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this brodtkorbite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch brodtkorbite with a known reference. Brodtkorbite sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark gray.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark gray.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: aggregates, anhedral grains.

Often confused with

Brodtkorbite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Clausthalite

Mohs 2.5-3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brodtkorbite leaves dark gray, Clausthalite leaves grayish black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Brodtkorbite leaves dark gray, Tiemannite leaves nearly black.

Compare →

Often found alongside brodtkorbite

Minerals reported to co-occur with brodtkorbite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Cu₂HgSe₂
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 7.77 g/cm³
Colors: Dark gray
Streak: Dark gray
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Aggregates, anhedral grains
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Uncommon in telethermal selenium-rich hydrothermal polymetallic deposits, in calcite veins in amphibolites, formed below 112 °C

Where rockhounds find brodtkorbite

Classic worldwide localities

Tuminico, Sierra de Cacho, La Rioja Province, Argentina (type locality)
Příbram uranium and base-metal ore district, central Bohemia, Czech Republic

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Uncommon in telethermal selenium-rich hydrothermal polymetallic deposits, in calcite veins in amphibolites, formed below 112 °C. If you start seeing berzelianite, tiemannite, umangite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify brodtkorbite?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. Luster: metallic. The streak is dark gray. Common colors include dark gray.

Where is brodtkorbite found?+

Notable localities include Tuminico, Sierra de Cacho, La Rioja Province, Argentina (type locality); Příbram uranium and base-metal ore district, central Bohemia, Czech Republic.

Is brodtkorbite safe to handle?+

Brodtkorbite contains copper, mercury and selenium and calls for real care. Contains mercury and selenium, both of which are toxic if ingested, inhaled as dust, or handled excessively. Always wash hands after handling and keep in a sealed container.

What rocks look like brodtkorbite?+

Brodtkorbite is most often confused with Clausthalite, Tiemannite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with brodtkorbite?+

Brodtkorbite commonly co-occurs with Berzelianite, Tiemannite, Umangite, Clausthalite, Eucairite, Naumannite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does brodtkorbite form in?+

Where it forms: Uncommon in telethermal selenium-rich hydrothermal polymetallic deposits, in calcite veins in amphibolites, formed below 112 °C. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is brodtkorbite used for?+

Brodtkorbite is used in collector.

Find brodtkorbite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.